I currently have a 2003 Overland. I have the opportunity to purchase my parents 2011 Laredo with a Hemi for below KBB, basically what they owe on it.

This vehicle will become a long term utility vehicle for both my dad and me. My question is long term maintenance, lets use 5 years for discussion purposes.

Over the next 5 years which vehicle will be more costly to maintain? I would think that the '03 wj would be cheaper because parts would be cheaper and more readily available. Or will wk2 prove to have less issues over the next 5 years?

2003 Overland has 85,000 miles on it. Already fixed heater issues, power steering line issue, just replaced O2 sensors and fixed a transmission issues.

2011 Laredo 60,000 miles on it. It was bought new by my parents and has been well maintained. The only major issue im aware of was the heads had to be replaced a couple of months after it was purchased. That was covered under warranty and fixed at the dealer.

The 2003 will be less money as you don't have to outlay any cash to buy the 2011. At 85,000 miles the WJ is barely broken in, but has it been exposed to dreadful climate and parked outdoors? Maintenance cost on the 2011 will be higher; if you hire someone to do the spark plug change, thats over $300 every 36,000 miles. I think insurance, tax, and reg fees would be much less for the 2003, and tires are smaller and less money.

Other than that, its roll the dice, but there are tons of WJs out there to scavenge parts off and tons of independent shops that know how to work on them.

I had a Y2000 WJ and then this 2011 WK2. The WK2 is a much better "car" with a better 4x4 system. I think the WJ would take much more abuse, however.. Which one do you like to drive?

Worth is subjective, although 5 years from now the WK2 may be worth a bit more than the WJ on the resale market.

I had a 2004 Overland 4.7 HO and a 2011 Overland Hemi also. I loved the 04 and still do and wish I could have kept it in a garage for just pure joy of owning it. But I traded it for a newer Jeep and regret it still. My 2011 was a superior road car to the 04 and even with the Hemi my mpg went up over the 04. The 11 Overland was a better all around Jeep and much better on road and I loved it too but I don't miss it like the 04. My view is that you will love driving the 11 but miss the 03. I wish you the best in your decision as it is a tough choice to make. Good luck.

You will get squat for your WJ, I would keep both. Use one as a winter beater, the other for nice weather.

Never scene the logic of trading in or selling a perfectly fine older vehichle which runs. For the 3-5K$ you might get, it isnt worth it, better to keep it and run it another 100K as a back up/spare/winter beater.

Your '03 has very low miles. But, it has some age. Items deteriorate with age: belts, hoses, tires, etc. Do you currently have any rust issues? As stated above, you wouldn't get much for it due to age.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes its a Hemi. According to my dad it had a bad casting on the rocker post.

The real deal is I am switching jobs and will be partnering with my dad in his current business. Welding and cutting torches if anyone is interested!! I am taking a pay cut but will be provided a vehicle.

I still owe 6500 on my WJ. So either I get the WJ paid off or i can get the WK2. I will daily drive whichever for a year and then it will become a winter vehicle. I think im leaning towards keeping the WJ. I have driven the WK2 many of times and it sure is nice to have newer car, but I like the ride of the WJ, it feels more like a jeep.

I sold my WK 02 JGC Limited two months ago ( 130K for $6300) and to be honest I don't miss it at all. Compared to my WK2 2012 JGC Limited, it has better 4X4, handling, MPG even with the Hemi
I could go on, but to each their own...My summer ride is a 97TA WS6